The MIAA released its 2021 field hockey state tournament brackets Tuesday afternoon, and a number of local teams made the cut and will be playing for a state championship beginning this weekend.
The local team that earned the highest overall seed makes its home at Blocksidge Field, as the Swampscott Big Blue earned the No. 5 seed in the Division 3 bracket. After posting a 10-5-3 record in a tough Northeastern Conference, the Big Blue earned a bye in the preliminary round and will take on No. 28 North Middlesex in the Round of 32. Swampscott will also have one of the longest layoffs before its first game, which isn’t scheduled until 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Division 4 and Division 2 brackets each boast two local teams, with Lynnfield and St. Mary’s both earning home games in the opening round. The Pioneers ― who finished at 7-6-5 for the regular season and notched a scoreless draw against a 16-1-1 Pentucket team in the finale ― slotted in at No. 7 in the bracket. After a preliminary round bye, Lynnfield will go up against North Brookfield in the Round of 32 Saturday (4) at Pioneer Stadium.
St. Mary’s, which is only in its second full season as a varsity program, took home the No. 13 seed in Division 4 after finishing 7-8-2. The record and seeding was good enough to earn the Spartans a bye in the preliminary round, and they will host No. 20 Greenfield Saturday evening (6:30) at Manning Field in the Round of 32.
In Division 2, Bishop Fenwick picked up a top-10 seed and a preliminary round bye. The Crusaders went 12-2-4 in a competitive Catholic Central League, good enough for the No. 9 seed. Fenwick will host No. 24 Minnechaug Thursday afternoon (2:30) at Donaldson Stadium in the Round of 32.
Marblehead finished the regular season just over .500 (9-8-1), which slotted the Magicians in at No. 19 in Division 2 and was good enough for a preliminary round bye. But Marblehead will have to go on the road for the Round of 32, traveling to No. 14 Norwood Thursday (2:30).
It should be noted that all pairings are not fully official for 24 hours and dates and times are subject to change.
